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The Indianapolis Colts expect their top draft pick in 2005 to provide the same type of impact on the defense as last year's top pick.

While safety Bob Sanders contributed down the stretch last season, he was unavailable early in the season. It appears cornerback Marlin Jackson will face a similar fate.

Jackson, the 29th overall pick in the April draft, is expected to miss the Colts' season opener at Baltimore on Sunday night. In 2004, Sanders, selected 44th overall, missed the first five games of the season while recovering from a foot injury.

Jackson's practice time has been limited since he suffered an injury to his right shoulder in the preseason finale at Cincinnati. His availability against the Ravens will be determined prior to the game, but on Friday coach Tony Dungy didn't sound optimistic.

The news was even worse for linebacker Rocky Calmus. He will not play Sunday and could miss significant time after suffering a pulled hamstring in Thursday's practice. A long-term injury for Calmus might require the Colts to bring in another linebacker.

The Colts obtained Calmus in a trade with Tennessee last weekend. He had started 12 games in three seasons, but also missed 21 games because of a variety of injuries.

The team is expected to learn today whether tight end Dallas Clark will gain medical clearance. He has been held out of team drills this week because of a concussion.

Defensive end Dwight Freeney was back on the practice field Friday after missing the previous day with soreness in one of his feet.